News
Merck could turn to private equity to finance clinical trials
German pharmaceutical company Merck has held talks with private equity firms to potentially finance future clinical trials, according to reports.
VC-backed Criteo to raise $176m in IPO
French advertisement targeting company Criteo, backed by several venture capital firms, plans on raising $176m in its upcoming flotation on Nasdaq, valuing the company in the region of $1.5bn.
Piper hires 3i's Stern
Dan Stern, Piper
Exponent's Ambassador attracts private equity suitors
Exponent Private Equity-backed Ambassador Theatre Group is reportedly on the block and has attracted high-profile suitors including BC Partners, Blackstone and Carlyle.
Private equity firms circle Unit4
Netherlands-based software company Unit4, which is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam, has been approached by private equity firms with takeover bids that value the company at up to €1.04bn.
Equistone nears Européenne des Desserts SBO
Equistone Partners is set to acquire French desserts maker Européenne des Desserts from Azulis Capital and Céréa Partenaire, according to reports in the local press.
Aquila Capital to launch maiden fund-of-funds
German investment company Aquila Capital has entered the private equity market, aiming to launch a fund-of-funds in early 2014.
SamInvest receives SEK 20m in EU funding
Swedish venture capital firm SamInvest has received SEK 20m from EU structural funds and the county administrative boards of JУЄmtland and VУЄsternorrland.
Brockhaus to close third fund by year-end
Brockhaus Private Equity is aiming to close its latest fund, Brockhaus Private Equity III, on €170m in Q4.
KKR mulls ATU exit
KKR is planning to divest its struggling portfolio company Auto-Teile Unger (ATU), according to reports.
StepStone snaps up Greenpark
San Diego-based StepStone Group has completed its acquisition of London-based secondaries house Greenpark Capital.
Ardian arranges €275m unitranche facility for Flexitallic SBO
Ardian (formerly Axa Private Equity) has arranged a €275m multi-currency unitranche facility to finance the €450m buyout of Flexitallic by Bridgepoint, in what marks the first investment for Ardian's Private Debt Fund III vehicle.
Ex-Prudential CEO joins Octopus board
Octopus Investments has appointed Rob Davey, former CEO of Prudential UK and Europe, as non-executive director.
Jones Day hires BLP's Weir
International law firm Jones Day has hired Michael Weir as a partner in its private equity practice in the London office.
FSN approaches €600m close
Oslo-based FSN Capital is nearing a final close for its Fund IV at its тЌ600m hard-cap, according to reports.
FTI Consulting hires two
FTI Consulting has appointed Christian Axmann and Andreas Rapp as managing directors to their Munich office.
Former LBO France partners launch debt-focused Kartesia Advisor
Kartesia Advisor, a new firm founded by three former LBO France partners and an ex-ICG director, has held a first close on €225m for its maiden debt vehicle.
CVC appoints Wolfgang Colberg as industrial partner
Wolfgang Colberg, CVC
PE firms lose out on Vion sale
Private equity firms reported to be circling the ingredients division of Netherlands-based Vion Food Group have lost out on the sale to Darling International, which has acquired the subsidiary for €1.6bn.
Italian fundraising slumps – Aifi
Total fundraising in H1 2013 in Italy fell to just €162m, the lowest half-year period across the five-year sample, according to Aifi data.
Private equity backers consider Sisal flotation
Apax, Permira and Clessidra are exploring the potential listing of gaming group Sisal this year, according to the Financial Times.
Silverfleet appoints Perella's Jack Priestman
Silverfleet Capital has poached analyst Jack Priestman from Perella Weinberg Partners.
PE backers mull Ceva Santé Animale sale
French veterinary laboratory Ceva Santé Animale, backed by Nixen, Euromezzanine and Sagard, has mandated Lazard to explore the possibility of a sale in the first half of 2014.
Barclays hires Nomura's Ulrich Böckmann
Ulrich Böckmann, Barclays